Jebel Ali Freezone (JAFZ)
By Dubai Free Zones : Jebel Ali Freezone (JAFZ)
Sep 12, 2004, 23:55
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Jebel Ali Freezone (JAFZ)
Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates has always been on the ancient trading route from the East to the West. Ideally situated midway on this route, its status has been further consolidated and is truly a trading hub today. In more recent years, the Jebel Ali Free Zone has been at the center of it all.
The Jebel Ali Free Zone is located in the Emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. JAFZ offers a unique opportunity to do business from the Middle East at unbeatable tax and business incentives. It is the ideal warehousing & distribution and industrial hub that provides access to some 2 billion plus demanding and affluent consumer market in the region. In addidion to the Gulf Co-operation Council countries - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Oman, the markets of the CIS, Indian sub-continent and Africa offer a vast potential. Europe and the Far East too can be reached very cost effectively from Jebel Ali. Due to Dubai's traditional trade links with its neighbors, shippers are keen to capitalize on Dubai's proven distribution capabilities.
Growing Local Market Exports and re-exports are on the rise from Dubai, and the Jebel Ali Free Zone in particular. Dubai Ports Authority has frequently demonstrated its ability to adapt quickly to changing trade patterns by picking up considerable business such as in the re-export of cotton and base metals from CIS countries and the sub-continent.
As part of its efforts to providing business visitors an ideal environment for growth and success, the Government of Dubai has spared no efforts in making Jebel Ali Free Zone one of the best of its kind. Equated to the most successful free zones of the world and backed by an entire government organisation, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) welcomes any business that will contribute positively to local economy.
JAFZA is charged with the supervision of the Jebel Ali Free Zone. Its responsibilities include providing companies with all assistance required if they wish to operate within the free Zone. In short, if you're looking for reliability and performance in your choice of a free Zone, you do not have to look further than Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai.
The Jebel Ali Free Zone is an outstanding example of the entrepreneurial spirit of the free trading city of Dubai. Taxation is non-existent. Restrictions are minimal. There is no obligation to take on a local partner. Staff may be recruited from anywhere. Excellent port facilities, warehouses, office space, and even factories are already built and ready for lease. The strategic location of Dubai allows easy access to the 1.5 billion consumers in the countries surrounding the Gulf and Red Sea.
Created by a Dubai Government decree on 9 February 1985, the Jebel Ali Free Zone is now host to over 1,125 companies from 72 countries. Many of these are leaders in their industries.
Politically stable, prosperous Dubai has a gift for triumphing in every venture it undertakes. A large part of this gift must be ascribed to the astuteness of its people and their leaders who share a long trading heritage and a determination never to be outdone. Dubai's first port terminal was built in 1972. It quickly became the busiest and most important port in the Middle East. Dubai International Airport is second only to Tokyo in the number of daily transit passengers it handles, and second only to Seattle as a sea/air hub. The 39-story Dubai World Trade Center is the tallest office building in the Arab world.
For over six centuries, Dubai has been famous as a trading center, with its creek a safe haven for merchant vessels. While oil was first found in 1966, Dubai's visionary ruler, His Highness the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum saw that an economy founded on oil would not be as successful nor as lasting as an economy founded on trade. His Highness Sheikh Rashid said, "Dubai will remain a free trading city."
Visas
4 Nos. for pre-built office; for multi-storeyed building depends on the size of the office space leased. However, no restriction for industrial/assembly units operating in pre-built warehouse and leased land.
Port Facilities
Jebel Ali Port, Port Rashid, Dubai Airport
Type of Licensing issued
Specific Trading, General Trading, Service, Industrial, National Industry.
Activities Allowed
Import, export, manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging, distribution, consolidation, logistics, etc. A company can obtain an additional license with different activities and operate under different name.
JAFZ is built around the largest man made port in the world and covers 100 square kilometers which includes office units, warehouses and land sites that are available on lease, whilst storage spaced in the cold and cool stores, open storage areas and ultra modern cargo handling equipment can be hired.
In today’s highly competitive world, a company’s success often depends on the find distinction between the good and the excellent. The reason for the success of JAFZ depends on the efficiency of its systems and other unique benefits for businessmen setting up an operation in the Free Zone.
The growth of JAFZ during the last 16 years has been dramatic: from 16 companies in 1985, the numbers has increases to over 3500 companies, which are now operating from the zone. These firms represent almost 100 countries.
The investors are mainly from Europe, GCC, and other Middle East Countries, East Asia including Indian Sub-continent, Far East, Africa, the United States and Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.
Many of the companies in the zone have expanded their operations since setting up in the Free Zone, some of them more then once. Cleveland Bridge, Rank Xerox, Shell, Black & Decker, 3M Corporation and McDermott were among the first companies to seize the opportunities on offer. Sony, Citizen, Reebok, Aiwa, BSH Home Appliances FZE, Mesh Int’l FZE, Sanyo Electric Trading Company Ltd., Casio, Daewoo, Nestle, Colgate Palmolive, Honda, Bose, Grundig, Hyundai, Nokia Mobile Phones, TetraPak, H.J.Heinz, Nissan, Brother, Mobil Corporation, Toys “R” US, General Motors, Kenwood Electronics, Reckitt Benckiser Arabia, Thorn Security International, Swarovski, SPIC, Silicon Graphics & Gulf Pacific Holdings. Cupola Group, AR Summit, Hi-Power Overseas & Cummins Diesel are among other international companies established in the zone.
Since 1992, companies can be incorporated in Jabel Ali as totally independent Free Zone Establishment (FZE) or FREE Zone Companies (FZCO). FZE or FZCO have a distinct legal identity and the liability of its shareholders is limited to the amount of its paid-up share capital. FZE or FZCO therefore share many of the key characteristics of limited liability companies and may have significant international tax advantages.
The success of JAFZ is measured by the following up to date statistics:
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Over 3500 companies currently operate out of JAFZ compared to 1900 companies as at the end of 2000.
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The multinational spread is exemplified by the fact that these companies have their parent companies in 97 countries around the world.
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Over 40% of these companies are based in the world’s leading industrial nations.
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Over 70 companies with facilities in JAFZ are internationally known “household names”.
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Manufacturing companies now exceed 220 with a capital share of 53% of the total investment in JAFZ.
There is no doubt that JAFZ’s success is also Dubai’s. Its is difficult to determine accurately the extent to which JAFZ has contributed to Dubai’s economy but it is estimated that JAFZ based companies have spend a massive Dhs. 2.3 billion in the local market during the last year alone. Also JAFZ is a major source of employment to U.A.E Nationals.
While JAFZ’s Chairman & Managing Director acknowledges JAFZ’s undoubted success to date the management of JAFZ is not resting on its laurels. It is continuously striving for improvement through updated systems. A customer satisfaction programme and improved operating procedures have enhanced JAFZ’s goal in 2004 and beyond to make sure that business stays in Dubai.
In this fast changing world and especially for the Middle East, where peace efforts are bound to bring further economic prosperity, JAFZ cannot and is not standing still. Plans for the future are constantly being reviewed to take into account political and economic realities. For instance, the present marketing plans incorporate increased target of such areas as South Africa, South America, CIS and Vietnam. Also JAFZ’s management are emphasizing their plans to attract hi-tech industries and also to provide incentives to create work opportunities for U.A.E.’s youth. This later plan will be achieved by developing a training center for young nationals, especially in the skills they will need to manage trading and shipping companies, as well as providing research and development canters to supplement their basic education.
A special marketing device is also to be made to attract more Arab Companies, especially those with international connections. JAFZ is providing unique facilities in the heart of the Arab World; it makes sense that the Arab Nation should seize these opportunities for their present and future prosperity.
Contact Details
JEBEL ALI FREE ZONE AUTHORITY ( JAFZA )
Po Box 17000
Jebel Ali Free Zone
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971(4)8815000
Facsimile: +971(4)8815001
Internet: Jebel Ali Free Zone
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